BEHAVED AREAS

Note: Kicker Sebastian Janikowski accounted for three of those arrests; punter Todd Sauerbrun accounted for two.

Quietest months, excluding 2008: January (21), April (21).

RESOLUTIONS

In compiling a list of 385 arrests and citations involving NFL players since 2000, the Union-Tribune could find legal resolutions to 317 incidents. Among those where no legal resolution could be found, many are still pending. Here is a breakdown of those found resolved:

Convictions, pleas to lesser charges, diversion programs: 65 percent

Dropped without penalty: 29 percent

Acquittals: 6 percent

SOCIETAL COMPARISON

The NFL is better behaved than American society.

NFL: roughly one arrest per 47 players per year since 2000, including injured reserve lists, according to the database.

U.S. population: one arrest per 21 people per year (around 4,800 arrests per 100,000 inhabitants) and one arrest per 25 people age 18 and over, according to the FBI.

Note: The San Diego Union-Tribune reviewed hundreds of news reports and public records since 2000 to compile an unofficial list of 385 arrests or citations involving NFL players that were more serious than speeding tickets. The list cannot be considered comprehensive in part because some incidents may not have been reported and some public records proved to be elusive. Increased media coverage of incidents also probably accounts for more incidents listed in recent years.

The list includes players who were in the league at the time of their arrests, including practice squads and players on injured reserve.

Like the NFL rate, the FBI rate counts one arrest for each separate instance in which a person is arrested, cited, or summoned for an offense. Statistically, the best comparison is with a similar peer group. In the NFL's case, this generally would be males under 33 with some college making six-figure salaries. However, such specific data does not exist for comparison in society.